Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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Land Registration: Proving Continuous Possession for Imperfect Titles
The Supreme Court explains what evidence is needed to register land under an imperfect title, requiring possession since June 12, 1945.
Fresh Period Rule Applies Retroactively to Pending Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Neypes fresh period rule applies retroactively to pending cases, allowing late appeals to proceed.
Bank Negligence and Depositor Fault: Who Bears Loss in Fraudulent Deposit Reversals
Supreme Court rules on allocating loss between bank negligence and depositor contributory fault in fraudulent check deposit reversals.
Partnership Dissolution: When Interest Accrues on Unliquidated Claims
Learn when interest accrues on unliquidated claims in partnership dissolution, citing Sunga-Chan v. CA (G.R. No. 164401).
Conspiracy in Estafa: How Courts Prove Joint Criminal Design
The Supreme Court explains how conspiracy in estafa is proven through overt acts, not direct evidence, in Aquino v. Paiste.
Notary Negligence and Disqualification: Lessons from Baylon v. Almo
A notary who fails to verify identity can lose the commission and be disqualified. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Residency Requirements for Elective Office: Domicile and Disqualification Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies how domicile is determined for election residency requirements, using a mayoral disqualification case as a guide.
Disbarred Lawyer Cited for Contempt After Defying Order to Return Funds
The Supreme Court denied with finality a disbarred lawyer's bid to reopen his case and cited him for indirect contempt for refusing to return funds to his former client.
AWOL and Due Process: Can an Employee Dropped From the Rolls Still Face Administrative Cases?
The Supreme Court clarifies that being dropped from the rolls for AWOL does not end pending administrative cases, especially for court employees facing fund shortages.
Sheriff's Overzealous Writ Execution: Grave Abuse of Authority and Citizen's Rights
When a sheriff's writ execution crosses the line into illegal detention and premature demolition, the Supreme Court steps in to protect citizens' rights.
Bouncing Checks and Due Process: The Notice Requirement in BP 22 Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that proof of receipt of notice of dishonor is essential to convict under BP 22, the bouncing checks law.
Judicial Overreach Approving Bail Outside Jurisdictional Boundaries
Moral Turpitude and Attorney Discipline: Upholding Ethical Standards in Personal Conduct
A lawyer's illicit affair and failure to support his child led to a six-month suspension, reaffirming that personal morality matters in the legal profession.
Fishpond Workers' Rights After Lease Expiration: Civil Lease vs Agrarian Reform
Supreme Court ruling on whether fishpond workers hired by a civil law lessee can stay after lease expiration, and why fishponds are exempt from agrarian reform.
Fishpond Exemption and Farmworker Security of Tenure After Lease Expiration
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether fishpond farmworkers retain security of tenure after a civil law lessee's lease expires.
Who Can Speak for the Deceased: Legal Representation and Estate Rights in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who may substitute for a deceased party in civil cases, protecting estate rights and due process.
Reopening a Preliminary Investigation Does Not Prove Prosecutorial Partiality
Supreme Court clarifies that reopening a preliminary investigation is not proof of bias under the Anti-Graft law, absent evidence of bad faith.
Land Reclassification Does Not Automatically Strip Tenant Rights, Says SC
Supreme Court clarifies that reclassifying agricultural land to residential use does not automatically divest tenant-farmers of their security of tenure rights.
Sheriffs Duty Implementing Replevin Orders With DUE Diligence AND Care
When a sheriff seizes property under a replevin order, due diligence is not optional. A Supreme Court ruling shows the costly consequences of neglect.
Piercing the Corporate Veil in Land Reform: When Corporate Fiction Evades Agrarian Law
When a corporation is used to evade agrarian reform coverage, courts will pierce the corporate veil. Learn from this Supreme Court ruling.
When a Financing Company Is Not a Mortgagee in Good Faith: Lloyd's Enterprises v. Dolleton
A financing firm that failed to inspect a mortgaged property cannot claim good faith. Learn the due diligence rule from this 2008 case.
Upholding Judicial Duty: Prompt Resolution of Cases and the Consequences of Undue Delay
The Supreme Court fines a Pasay City judge P10,000 for resolving motions many months late, confirming that undue delay is a punishable offense.
Agrarian Reform: When Courts Can Interfere With DAR's Discretion
Explains when courts may review DAR decisions in agrarian reform cases, using a 2008 Supreme Court ruling on CARP exemptions.
Credibility of Rape Victim's Testimony Can Stand Alone for Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms that a rape victim's credible, straightforward testimony is sufficient for conviction, even without corroborating evidence.